If the heat and humidity has you feeling ragged and exhausted, I am here with some products to give you the ultimate summer makeup glow-up! I shared a soft summer makeup look a few weeks ago and I thought I would give my take on a radiant summer makeup look in today’s post. I love to achieve that lit from within look with the products I use. Think refined radiance, yes? This look would still be beautiful all year long but it’s especially fun to amp up the glow in the warm weather. Giving the appearance of having spent a ton of time outside but in all reality enjoying the A/C and faking the glow from makeup. Ha!
There are a ton of ways to have a glow-up from dietary and lifestyle adjustments, mental and emotional support and of course, good ol’ makeup and skincare fun. Even if you have been neglecting yourself this summer because you feel stretched too thin or overwhelmed with life, sometimes focusing on small things you can control such as your makeup can be a fun distraction! Add a new highlighter to your cheekbones, apply a glowy makeup primer before your foundation – this is the perfect time to give yourself a temporary glow-up for the day. You don’t have to be a professional makeup artist to achieve the look, here’s a guide on how to achieve a glow up makeup that is perfect for summer along with some of my favorite products to use.
Summer Glow Up Makeup Guide
Step 1
Keep the skin hydrated and well moisturized. Dry and dehydrated skin looks dull and lackluster and makeup can only do so much. Make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated and use a hydrating moisturizer in your skincare routine before applying your makeup. Keep a nourishing lip balm on hand to make sure you have hydrated lips and use a good hair mask once a week to keep your hair well hydrated too.
Step 2
Self tanner > real sun. Of course we all need our daily vitamin d, but trying to get any type of tan from the sun is just not the way to go. Opt for a self tanner and dilute it with an unscented body lotion. This will allow for less streaking and give your body a bit of a summer glow to match your makeup.
Step 3
On the heels of applying your self tanner, make sure you take this into account when choosing your foundation shade. You may need to go up a shade in your favorite foundation or try mixing a bronzey tint such as this L’Oreal Tinted Serum into your makeup. It will make it just a hint darker hopefully matching your skin tone without having to commit to an entirely different shade.
Summer Glow Makeup Products
Skin Tints and Primers
Swatches from left to right: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint in Tulum, Chanel Water Fresh Complexion Tint in B10, Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint in 1, Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter in 1, Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter in Starglow, Rare Beauty Illuminating Primer
I live for a skin tint and there are so many that do a great job at evening out the complexion and giving the skin a fresh “just had a facial” look. Three that I rotate regularly in my routine are the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint in shade Tulum (this is an SPF 40 too!), Chanel Water Fresh Complexion Tint in B10 and the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint in 1. All give my skin a dewy finish without looking too greasy and hold up well in the summer. For added longevity, apply a setting spray right after applying your skin tints to help set everything.
If I am wearing a more natural finish foundation, using a glowy primer is a great way to make the skin look more luminous but in a slightly understated way. The ELF Halo Glow Liquid Filter in shade 1 blurs imperfections and gives the most beautiful glowy finish to the skin with a slight bit of color. For a radiant primer without any color, I love the Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter in Starglow and Rare Beauty Illuminating Primer. I apply them after my SPF but before I apply my foundation or skin tint.
Highlighters
Swatches from left to right: Saie Dew Balm Bouncy Highlighter in Rose Gold, Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand, Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand in Sunbeam, Ilia Liquid Light Serum Highlighter in Nova, Nudestix Glow Highlighter Stick in Bubbly Bebe, Merit Beauty Day Glow Highlighting Balm in Bounce, Chanel Multi-Use Glow Stick in Sculpting, Chantecaille Liquid Lumiere in Sheen
We can’t talk about a glow up and summer makeup products without mentioning highlighters! They can instantly add a touch of shine to the face – either on bare skin or over makeup.
If you want something that is sheer and will give just a hint of radiance, go for the Saie Dew Balm Bouncy Highlighter in Rose Gold, Merit Beauty Day Glow Highlighting Balm in Bounce or Chanel Multi-Use Glow Stick in Sculpting. The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand, Nudestix Highlighter Stick in Bubbly Bebe, Ilia Liquid Light Serum Highlighter in Nova and Chantecaille Liquid Lumiere in Sheen have more pigment and can be dabbed on for a sheer wash of shine or built up for a bolder glow.
The Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand in Sunbeam is a multi-use product that I like to wear under my eyes to brighten or on my cheekbones to highlight. The texture is smooth, thin and blends beautifully.
Blush/Bronzer
Swatches from left to right: Jones Road Gel Bronzer in Light, Pixi Beauty On-the-Glow Bronze Moisture Stick in Warm Glow, NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush in Behave, Laura Mercier RoseGlow Liquid Highlighter in Peach Bronze, Tarte Maneater Blush in Pink
Blush and/or bronzer may seem like an afterthought for many people, but I can’t complete my makeup look without it! It’s a key beauty product for me. Adding a glowing blush or radiant bronzer to my cheeks is more important than eyes or lips in making my face look awake, healthy and glowing.
I’ve been loving this Jones Road Beauty Gel Bronzer in Light recently because it’s so hydrating on the skin. My cheeks look sun kissed and healthy even after a full day of wearing this bronzer. The Pixi Beauty On-the-Glow Bronze Moisture Stick in Warm Glow has been a viral sensation this summer and I can see why. It’s super sheer but gives the cheeks a natural glow and has skincare benefits to moisturize. Easy to apply and blend, this product is foolproof.
Liquid blush formulas are great for giving a glow and the two I reach for regularly are the NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush in Behave and the Tarte Maneater Blush in Pink. The Laura Mercier RoseGlow Liquid Highlighter in Peach Bronze (discount code: MAREE20) is a mix between a blush and highlighter and you only need a dot or two to give the cheeks a radiant flush.
What are some of YOUR favorite products that give you a summer glow?
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